Looking for classes? Ksquare Career Institute, Bengaluru →
Number of Atoms in a Unit Cell
Appears in
Concepts tested here
- Formula from corner and face positions
- Formula from positions in a cubic unit cell
All Questions
2004 AIPMT 1 question
-
A compound formed by elements X and Y crystallizes in a cubic structure in which the X atoms are at the corners of a cube and the Y atoms are at the face-centers. The formula of the compound is :-A corner atom is shared by 8 unit cells, so it contributes $\dfrac{1}{8}$ to one cell. A face-centre atom is shared by 2 unit cells, so it contributes $\dfrac{1}{2}$.
X atoms at 8 corners: $8 \times \dfrac{1}{8} = 1$ X atom per unit cell
Y atoms at 6 face centres: $6 \times \dfrac{1}{2} = 3$ Y atoms per unit cell
Ratio X : Y = 1 : 3
So the formula of the compound is $XY_3$.
2000 AIPMT 1 question
-
A cube of any crystal has A-atoms placed at every corner and B-atoms placed at every centre of face. The formula of compound :A atoms at 8 corners: $8 \times \dfrac{1}{8} = 1$
B atoms at 6 face centres: $6 \times \dfrac{1}{2} = 3$
Ratio A : B = 1 : 3
So the formula is $AB_3$.
